36 TENTH ANNUAL REPORT. 
ber 37. The number of species reported on these lists range 
from 263, for Hamilton to 14 for Allen (which latter was 
only a partial report upon a list for another county). The 
lists reporting less than 100 species number 25; between 
100 and 200, 29; more than 200, 8. Average, 125. More 
than half of the counties from which reports have been 
received are therefore well represented, while few are poorly 
SO. 
A discouraging feature of the majority of the reports 
is the evident general ignorance on the part of those report- 
ing, of the breeding of many of the species which should 
be found breeding in their county. This ignorance is shown 
in many ways, and is pretty clearly due to a cessation of 
field work with the advent of warm weather and mos- 
quitoes. I had hoped that a good deal of information upon 
that point could be gained. Most people feel something 
of the excitement of the season of migration of birds, but 
it takes some planning and inconvenience to hold to the 
study after the excitement has passed. 
I was prepared for the great diversity of opinion ex- 
pressed by persons living in the same city or county as to 
the relative abundance of the several species reported. The 
value of any individual’s statement must always be deter- 
mined by the amount of time given to the study of the 
birds, and the time of day and of the year when the study 
pursued. The field covered is also an important ele- 
ment. The value which the person gives to the terms 
‘abundant’, ‘common’, etc., is of minor importance unless 
fine distinctions are to be made. 
A careful study of the reports received makes clear the 
fact that the greatest service which the ‘Revised Catalog’ 
could render to a large majority of those who have so kindly 
contributed to it would be more definite information about 
each species. Such definite information can be given for 
the most of our species, but upon some which are pretty 
well known while they are migrating, we need more light 
thrown. I refer particularly to some of the birds of prey, 
